noglider 

Plus if we didn't have to be professional about it, there is a woman at work who, I suspect, likes the way I look, and the feeling is mutual, but I don't think we'll be talking about it. It's cool.

noglider 

But it does mean that people need to think about it and work out an individual system for themselves. I've got a handle on my system because I developed it over time. Our solutions are all different, but maybe it helps to see how we each think. I have a lot of gear to keep track of.

TenSpeedV2

Attitudes quickly change when they realize that you are no joke, and that you will commute on a really hot day, or cold, or in the rain or a blizzard. Several times I have walked in to work, and gotten the look, and they start in with "did you..." and I don't let them finish. I just say "yep" and keep walking. The look of disbelief is often worth the suffering of the temps or whatever.

I choose to carry myself differently when I ride in. Walking in with a full plate of confidence and energy often will negate the comments and looks that one can receive. You do get looks, some bad, and some good as mentioned above. Never had a complaint that what I was wearing was too revealing, and honestly, I look pretty damn good in a set of bibs and a nice jersey.

noglider 

I don't get any of those looks. Maybe it's because this is New York? Weird is normal. Bike commuting is normal. Everything is normal.

mcours2006

If I had a short five km commute I'd ditch the spandex too and go with an upright. But the longer your commute the more specialized you have to become, mainly because you don't want to spend half your day on the road.

phx1973

This is exactly how I feel. I don't always treat my bike commute as a workout. But today I really put the hammer down and it felt great. Was very thankful for a clean set of clothes when I got to the office. One other day this week I rode in khaki's and polo...that was great too in the sense that I just got right to work. I guess I'm not all that consistent. Haha.

noglider 

Exactly, and some on the bike path may smirk at us "cat 6 commuters," but they may not know how far we go. I thought one guy in a super racer outfit was a bit much, but then I learned he commutes from Brooklyn to Westchester county, perhaps 35 or 40 miles each way, over a huge variety of terrain.

liampboyle

Still figuring out my commute wardrobe here. I've been doing bike short liners under my work pants and T-shirts mainly, occasionally on cooler days just my office clothes, but I'm thinking I may want to start investing in more cycling specific stuff. I just wish it wasn't quite so expensive.

mcours2006

If you buy your bike clothes at you LBS, yes very expensive. But you can get stuff off of eBay or Amazon, or stuff from Nashbar/Performance and it's not too bad.

You've probably also figured out that commuting by bike takes a lot more planning than other modes of commute.

liampboyle

I've belonged to the school of "broke and this is my only way to get to work" school of bike commuting for a fairly long time.

VRC

Yeah that's cool. If I lived about half as far from work I'd be one of those ladies who bikes in a skirt. But it's not, so it's a good workout so I change at work. I bring in a few outfits on car days.

no motor?

That's what happened with me, especially as I got fitter.

bmthom.gis

Every now and a gain I will wear normal clothes, and then remember why cycling specific clothes are far superior for an 11 mile commute in south carolina. I have a shower at work, and everyone but 3 people work upstairs. Hardly anyone ever sees me until I am cleaned up...though the accountant, she can stare of she wants.

We only have about 15 people who work in our office on a full day. Everyone knows I cycle.

In the summer I'll even sweat on a 1 mile ride on an upright bike as I go do thing like get my hair cut or ride to lunch. There is no "staying slow and cool" here. Wear what you want

Gresp15C

My boss bought a bike hanger for my work area, so I think he knows that a few of us ride.

Kedosto

I wear cycling specific clothing for my commute, but no spandex. Most of my stuff is poly but I have a few wool pieces. I wear poly knickers or shorts, poly liner shorts, poly tops in layers and poly socks with my Pearl Izumi shoes. A convertible vest/jacket as a top layer.

It's not an either/or proposition. There's plenty of good athletic wear without spandex. There should be an age and shape requirement for spandex and I sure as heck don't meet it. As a courtesy to all, I wear comfortable performance clothing that's easy on the eyes.

- Kedosto

no motor?

One thing I found was that I got some ribbing about whether I was going to wear "those tight bike shorts" when I started commuting. I didn't wear them, but by the time winter came around no one said a word when I wore tights. I'm not sure what the longer legs would have to do with being less likely to cause me to get kidded about wearing them, but the only comments I got about how I was dressed was wondering how I was going to stay warm during the trip.

vol

How many would go and buy new outfit in that situation?

Darth Lefty 

I'm sure it's easier to do in Midtown Manhattan than here in the burbs. I dont't think it would save me time vs. going home for them.

The other guy sounds like a ******, daring his office mates not to indulge him.

zacster

I wear my padded spandex road shorts, and cool-max type shirts from Target, socks and my running shoes. I tried riding in jeans on a casual Friday once and regretted it as I have a 10 mile commute each way so it is just a little too far to just wear the street clothes. I change at work where I wash myself down, but no shower. And like a few others on this thread I commute in NYC. I try to take it easy on the way in, but the Manhattan Bridge is a climb and I end up sweaty no matter how easy I try to do it. On the way home I ride as hard as I feel. It is only 10 miles but it still takes an hour no matter how I ride it. People in the office know I commute sometimes, and it is always funny to see the ones that don't necessarily know in the lobby as I lock my bike up there. I always warn people away if they come to talk. Most know better.

As it gets colder, if it ever gets colder this year, I'll start adding leg warmers and a light jacket. When it gets really cold I just keep adding layers, but I'm not a die hard so once it gets too cold I'm done.

Darth Lefty 

Yeah, I have some commuter Levi's but I only wear them to ride during the cool mornings half the year, and coldest evenings for only Dec-Feb-ish

liampboyle

How much do those run? I'm still not sure what I'm doing for winter. In my older days of bike commuting on Walmart specials, I just wore work clothes, but in those days I worked in warehouses and factories so we all stank and it wasn't much of an issue. Since I work in an office these days, I'm expected to maintain more of that "professional" type appearance. (Which of course gets lost with the long hair and beard )

Darth Lefty 

I don't remember. Macy's not Penny's prices. I have three pair and though they're all the same listed size the feel of the fabric and the fit is pretty variable between the colors. Try them in person if you can, they are a close fit. I started with a pair that fit and ordered two more, got one tighter but softer and stretchier, and one looser but coarser.

liampboyle

Darn, I can sometimes afford Penny's prices, but I'm generally stuck with Walmart clearance rack prices as what I'm able to budget. Working on letting the wife give me more of a bike gear budget though

cbike

I dislike article like that. The only half way decent advise is "you don’t have to ride fast".

Ride your bike, wear your cloths, and don't imitate others.

zacster

There's more to cycling than riding fast.